AFC South Notes: Colts, Jaguars, Titans

Colts

Ordinarily being traded by one of the two teams that just played in the Super Bowl wouldn’t be good news for a player. But former 49ers DL DeForest Buckner not only got a new contract that paid him as handsomely as the NFL’s top defensive linemen, he joined a Colts team that he thinks is poised to reach the same heights he just did in San Francisco. 

“I mean you can see the team that [GM] Chris Ballard has put together over the years. It’s a really special team,” Buckner said via Andrew Walker of the team’s website. “They have a lot of young talent and a lot of good key guys on all phases of the ball. Being able to be an addition, it’s kind of a win-now mentality, you know what I mean? So I am excited moving forward and just ready to get things rolling.”

Jaguars

Jaguars HC Doug Marrone anticipates the signing of LB Joe Schobert as having a ripple effect on the entire defense. Not only will Schobert step in to solidify the middle linebacker position, but his arrival allows Jacksonville to move Myles Jack back to outside linebacker after he struggled in 2019. 

“He is really going to help us, not only at the MIKE linebacker position, but he also helps us overall across our whole linebacking corps,” Marrone said via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco. “This gives us the ability to move Myles Jack to outside linebacker, which I feel is a more natural position for him. Myles and I spoke about the change and he’s excited.”

Titans

Former Titans DT Jurrell Casey acknowledged he was as surprised as many fans were when he was traded to the Broncos Wednesday. Casey admitted he was hurt at being shopped out by the team that drafted him but he was ready to move on to the next phase. 

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t confused and hurt, but it’s a business!” he wrote. “But, I am comforted with every text, call, comment, tweet and DM I have received. Y’all are showing your boy some real love and encouragement! Hoping I left my mark in TN because y’all will forever be in my heart.”

• Titans OT Dennis Kelly‘s three-year, $17.25 million deal includes a $4.75M signing bonus, base salaries of $1.5 million guaranteed, $4.5 million with $2.5 million guaranteed for injury at signing, and $5 million. (Aaron Wilson)
• Kelly also has annual per-game roster bonuses up to $400,000, a $750,000 incentive in 2021-2022 and a $1 million base escalator in 2021-2022.